The Sand Lizard
inhabits most of Europe and parts of Asia, from France in the West to
Sibiria in the East. They are range as far as central Sweden and as far
south as the Alps. While not common in Denmark, the Sand Lizard can be
found in most of the country exept for few minor islands. They inhabit
open hilly areas, often near the coast. There are two different forms
in Denmark. Besides the normal form there is also a form with a redbrown
patternless back that is very rare. The largest Sand Lizard, that I have
seen in nature was a female at 23.5 cm, but they grow larger in the southern
part of their distribution. Wild caught specimens are protected by law
(Bern convention),but captive bred juveniles are available from a number
of breeders, especially in Germany.

Sandlizard,
female in natural habitat

Sand Lizards are
very nice pets, but males can fight, especially in the Spring. After a
short time they will take food items out of your hands and come running
as soon as you aproach. They are fed on crickets, rainworms and zophobas
along with insects and spiders from the garden. UV lights are required
unless housed outdoors.

Mating

Sandlizard,
female in oviposition

Hatchlings

In nature they are
seen from April. The males show up first and after their first shedding
they start showing their beautiful green sides, that will last throughout
most of the Summer. Copulation takes place as soon as the females turn
up, and eggs are commonly laid in June or early July. Clutch size is normally
6 - 12 eggs but can be as large as 17. The eggs hatch after 70 – 85 days
of incubation at approximately 20 degrees Celsius. Neonnates are very
small being approximately 55 mm in length. They are best fed with small
insects from the garden supplemented with vitamins and calcium.

Sandlizard,
male and female

We keep our Sand
Lizards outside in a 2 meter x 2 meter terrarium constructed of Acrylplastic
that allows passage of the UV spectrum. The roof is covered with net to
protect the lizards against cats and birds. If you keep a pair outside
in such a terrarium, you don`t need to feed the animals. They can live
on what they find, but we still handfeed them occasionally with rainworms
to keep them tame. These animals are always active and we highly recommend
keeping such a small piece of nature in your garden.
Besides the common coloration, we also have the redbacks and a few blue
animals. In 2001, we succeded breed them outside in the 3´rd generation.